Wall construction



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s. F. cox ET AL WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed June 1w,A 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 @I6/LM?? feu-L '67 7 faQ/very;

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WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed June 1'7, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ME M5. y ,f D

au c N N LA E m W T n K n a Patented Feb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES WALL CON s'rRUofrloN Samuel F. Cox and Percy E. Knudsen, Pittsburgh,

Pa., assignors to Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application .lune 17, 1938, Serial No. 214,246

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to the mounting .of panels in a wall and it has particular relation to the provision of mountings of relatively thin frangible panels such as sheet glass, or the like.

One object of the invention is to provide means for safely supporting panels of glass closing an entire wall, or large opening in a wall, of a buildlng against atmospheric and other forces to which they may be subjected.

A second object of the invention is to provide means of the foregoing type Which is simple, attractive and which is not unduly conspicuous from the exterior of a building.

These and other `objects of the invention will be apparent from consideration of the following specifications and the appended claims.

The tendency in modern buildings is to increase the amount of light transmitting window space to a maximum and to decrease the amount of space occupied by such opaque, load supporting materials as stone, brick, steel and the like to a minimum. However, it is always necessary to provide a relatively strong massive structure for supporting the superstructure of a building. There is also a definite limit to the size of the sheets of glass which can be manufactured and handled economically and that will withstand atmospheric or other forces in service. For these reasons, it has heretofore been impossible to provide a wall or a large space in a wall which has the appearance of comprising a wall of sheet glass rather than a series of windows set into a supporting wall.

In a wall or a window constructed in accordance with the provisions of the present invention, the foregoing difliculties are obviated by forming the glass into a series of panels, preferably of relatively large dimensions which are secured in sashes that are supported in edge to edge relation with respect to each other by means of a framework of sulcient strength to support the sheets of glass against wind pressure or other forces to which they may be subjected.

The invention involves as a second feature provision of a system of bracing for walls and large windows of glass in which a framework for a series of large panels are supported'and braced from within the building, and the glass presents a surface which is substantially free of the pilasters or columns of the building.

As a further feature, the invention involves the provision of a system of slotted or split hollow metallic bars having the edges thereof formed to provide rabbets for the edges of the glass.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may now be had to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a front or exterior view of a wall or a large window constructed in accordance with the provisions of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View of the construction shown in Figure 1.

Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are fragmentary crosssecticnal views taken respectively substantially upon the lines III-III, IV-IV, V-V, VI-VI and VII- VII of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional viewv 15 taken substantially upon the line VIII-VIII of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the intersection of certain bars of the framework shown in Figure 1.

In the form of the invention disclosed, a building wall I0 is formed with a rear section II and a forwardly oifset section I2 that is connected to the rear section by means of intermediate portions I3. As shown in Figure 6 an opening I4 25 formed in the wall has a frame I5 of metal, such as steel, disposed therein. This frame, at the sides, comprises members I8 preferably of T cross-sectional outline and consisting of a web I9 and rearwardly disposed transverse flanges 2|. 30 'Ihe outer of the flanges is secured to or embedded in the masonry of wall I2.

The exposed portions of the flange I9 and a portion of the web 2l are enclosed by sections of a housing 22, that includes a flange 24, which 35 is secured to the web by means of screws or bolts 25. It also includes side portions 26, 2'I and 28, the forward edge of the latter of which projects forwardly of flange 2l, and have inwardly bent portions 2s, which at their edges Contact with 40 the web i9. Side 28 is also secured by means'of rivets SEB to the edge of the flange.

A sash bar 3I of a sash frame preferably, approximately of L shape is disposed in the angle between the flange 29 and the web I9 and in- 45 chicles a base strip or branch 32 having a flange 33, the latter of which engages the outer edge of said web. Backing strip 34 of member 3| engages the forward face of flange 29 and is provided with a groove 35 within which is disposed 50 a member 35 roughly of tubular form and comprising a thin sheet of resilient metal that constitutes a resilient seal or bead against which the rear face of a plate of glass 3'I is pressed. The plate is forced against the bead by means of a Q5 section spring clip 38 preferably approximately of L shaped cross-sectional contour, having a clamping strip or branch 39, the marginal portion of which is bent to provide a hook 42, the back of which engages the forward face of the glass. A screw 43 extending through branch 39 of resilient member 38 and branch 34 of member 3| and threaded into side 29 of member 22 respectively, presses the iirst mentioned branch against the glass and the second mentioned flange against the iiange 29.

Flange 34 is also provided with an outwardly extending rib 46 disposed in spaced relation with respect to the branch 32 and branch 39 along its inner edge is provided with a rearwardly and then reflexly forwardly bent portion that forms a rib 41 that is disposed between rib 46 and the adjacent face of the leg 32 of member 3|. The reflexly forwardly bent portion of rib 41 forms the second branch or leg 48 of the member 38 and the edge thereof is provided with a bead 49.

The marginal portion of the glass plate 31, to- .gether with the member 3B is enclosed or-concealed by means of a finishing or closure strip` 5| which is roughly arcuate in cross-sectional contour and at one edge is provided with a curved rib 52 designed to hook over and engage the hooked portion 42 of clip 38. The adjacent edge of the strip is disposed in contact with the outer face of the glass plate 31. The other margin of the strip is provided with a wedge-like bead 53 that hooks under bead 49 to clamp the finishing strip in position.

The bottom portion .of the frame I5 as best shown in Figure 7 comprises a plate 60 constituting a sill or a ledge. Upon the ledge is disposed sections of a housing 6| having a rear side wall 62, a top 63 and a forward side 64. The latter terminates in a forwardly extending flange 6B resting upon plate 60. Within the angle between the side 64 and the ange 66 is disposed a sash structure 61l corresponding to that already described in connection with Figure 6.

The upper portion of the frame I5 as shown in Figure 5 comprises an angle member 10 which is secured by welding or by other convenient means to the lintel 1| of the building structure. The angle bar 10 and lintel 1| are substantially enclosed by housing sections 12 which include rear sides 13 having horizontal rearwardly extending anges 14 that rest upon the horizontal web 11 of the angle 10 and are secured to the web 11 by means of rivets or screws 18. Of course, the flange may, also, be secured by Welding or by any other convenient means. The top portions 19 of the housing extend under the vertical flange 8| of the angle 10 and at their forward edges are provided with two vertically upwardly extending portions 82 and 83 which are interconnected by horizontal ledges 84 to provide an angle within which is disposed the upper bar 8S of the sash frame. Reference again may be had to Figure 6 for a complete understanding of this frame. Plate 81 provides a closure between the upper edge of portion 83 and the lower edge of the masonry 88 constituting a part of the building wall.

As shown in Figure 3, means for supporting the edges of the panels of glass intermediately of the two side frames comprise vertical members 9|, similar to members I8 shown in Figure 6 and comprising a web 92 having rear flanges 93. The vertical members 9| are braced by members comprising horizontal rearwardly extending tubes 95 having iianges 96 upon the extremities thereof secured to the flanges 93, by means of bolts 98. At their rear extremities, the tubes are secured to columns 99 (shown in Fig. 2), which may be load supporting elements of the building.

A housing |95 is disposed about the flanges 93 preferably is of rectangular cross-section and the sides |06 thereof are secured to the edges of the iianges 93 by means of screws or rivets |01. At its forward edge or side the housing is slotted as indicated at |08 to receive the web 92 of the vertical member 9|. Portions ||0 of the forward face of the housing provide shoulders upon opposite sides of the web 92 against which is seated a bar of the sash frame. This bar is identical in cross-section to those previously described.

Housings |05 are formed in sections correspending in length approximately to the height of the sheets of glass 31. The extremities of the housing are spaced to receive and support the extremities of tubular horizontal bars |I2. These bars are so notched at their extremities as indicated at I3 as to iit about the flanges 93 of the vertical members 9|, and thus to prevent horizontal displacement.

As best shown in Figure 4, bar ||2 comprises sheet metal bent into the form of a rectangular tube having side Walls ||6 and a rear wall II1. The forward portions of the walls ||6 are in-v wardly bent to provide the forward wall H8. The two inwardly bent portions meet along the median plane of the hollow cross-bar and the marginal portions I9 thereof are outwardly bent to provide a rib |2|. Sash frames |22 are disposed in the angles between the flange |2| and the forward wall H8 of the horizontal bars. This frame corresponds to and constitutes a portion of the frame already described in connection with Figure 6. As shown in Figure 8, the extremities of the walls ||1 are semicircularly notched to iit about braces 95.

As shown in Figures l and 9, the corners of the various panels are secured and concealed by means of rosette plates |25 which are held in position by means of screws |26, threaded into the forward edges of the webs 92.

The mode of assembly of a wall structural constructure constituting the subject matter of the present invention is practically self-evident from the foregoing descriptions. It will be assumed that the masonry of the building has alreadt7 been constructed and that the side frames ||8 and the housing 23 therefore have been placed in position. The plate 60 and the housings 62 likewise should be assembled. The vertical members 9| are then stood in place and the lower extremities thereof are secured by welding or by other convenient means to the bottom plate or sill. As each section of the casings is slid into position, the horizontal bars ||2 are slipped into position with the extremities thereof resting upon the upper end of the sections |05 and with the slotted portions ||3 fitting about the flanges 93 in such manner as securely tolock the horizontal bars from displacement. Additional sections |05 can then be slid over the supports 9| and in this manner the assembly is continued until completed. The endsd of the vertical bars are secured to the framework of the buildings after the housings |05 and bars I I2 have been mounted. Sections of housings 22, 6| and 12 are then secured in position. I-t will be noted that the outer extremities of the end bars ||2 are disposed between the ends of sections 6|, while the ends of uprights 9| are disposed between the ends of sections 6l and 19. Assembly of the framework for the glass and the mounting of the panels of glass follows conventional pro-v cedure and need not be described in detail. Finally the rosette plates |25 are secured in place over the corners of the plates.

In accordance with the provision of the present invention, the sheets or units of glass 31 may be of practically any dimension commensurate with ease of handling and adequate mechanical strength. The amount of framework and building wall disposed between the different units in the completed structure is so small that a Wall composed of such units present the appearance of a practically continuous wall or window of glass. At the same time, the glass is adequately reinforced by the framework against wind pressures and any mechanical stresses which are likely to be imposed thereupon. The vertical members of the framework are designed primarily for supporting and reinforcing the panels of glass. However, they are of great rigidity and may be employed as load carrying columns in the buildmg.

The construction may be employed in the formation of substantially continuous walls of sheet glass. t is also possible to employ the construction in the assembling of very large windows.

Although only the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and shown in the foregoing specifications, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications may be made therein without departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A building comprising a transparent wall composed of a plurality of panels of glass supported by a framework which comprises vertical members having rearwardly disposed transverse flanges and forwardly extending webs, the vertical members being secured at their opposite ends to the framework of a building, sheets of glass disposed transversely upon opposite sides of the webs, a plurality of the sheets of glass being disposed in vertically superposed relation with respect to each other, a plurality of tubular sections corresponding in length to the widths of the superposed sheets of glass, the tubular sections being slotted to receive the webs of the vertical members, horizontal members disposed between the vertical members and comprising tubes having anges along their forward edges disposed between the contiguous horizontal edges of adjacent sheets o-f glass, the ends of the horizontal members being secured between and supported upon the contiguous ends of the tubular sections.

2. A construction as defined in claim l comprising columns disposed in rearwardly displaced relation with respect to the glass panels and horizontal braces interconnecting the vertical members and the columns at the points o-f intersection between the vertical members and the horizontal members.

3. A construction as defined in claim 1 in which the ends of the horizontal members are notched to receive the flanges of the vertical members.

4. A construction as dened in claim 1 in which the horizontal members are slotted and the edges are forwardly bent 'in superposed relation to provide the ribs.

5. A transparent wall composed of a plurality of panels of glass supported by a framework, which includes vertical members of metal having transversely-disposed rearward flanges and forwardly-extending webs, the vertical members being secured at their opposite ends to the framework of a building, sheets of glass disposed transversely upon opposite sides of the webs, the flanges being enclosed by tubular members longitudinally slotted to receive the webportions of the Vertical members and providing backings for the sheets of glass.

6. A transparent wall composed of a plurality of panels of glass supported by a framework, which includes vertical members of metal having transversely-disposed rearward flanges and forwardly-extending webs, the vertical members being secured at their opposite ends to the framework of a building, sheets of glass disposed transversely upon opposite sides of the webs, the flanges of the vertical members being enclosed by tubular members longitudinally slotted to receive the web portions of the vertical members, said tubular members providing backing means for the sheets of glass and being cut into sections, horizontal members disposed between the upper and lower edges of adjacent sheets of glass and having their ends supported between contiguous ends of the sections of the tubular members.

7. A transparent wall composed of a plurality of panels of glass supported by a framework, which includes vertical members of metal having transversely-disposed rearward flanges and forwardly-extending webs, the vertical members being secured at their opposite ends to the framework of a building, sheets of glass disposed transversely upon opposite sides of the webs, tubes of rectangular cross-section disposed about the flanges of the vertical members and being slotted along their forward faces to receive the webs of the vertical members, said faces providing backings for the edges of the sheets of glass.

8. A transparent wall composed of a plurality of panels of glass supported by a framework, which includes vertical members of metal having transversely-disposed rearward flanges and forwardly-extending webs, the vertical members being secured at their opposite ends to the framework of a building, sheets of glass disposed transversely upon opposite sides of the webs, tubular members of rectangular cross-section disposed about the flanges of the vertical members and being slotted along their forward faces to receive the webs of the vertical members, the sides of the tubular members being secured to the edges of the flanges of the vertical members, and the forwardly facing portions of the tubular members providing backings for the sheets.

SAMUEL F. COX. PERCY E. KNUDSEN. 

